Are we reading too much into Pope Francis’s upcoming consistory, which could influence the choice of his successor, asks John H Allen Jr.
ROME – When Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals on 30 September, including 18 under the age of 80 and thus eligible to vote for his successor, the focus obviously will be on who’s in the mix as new Princes of the Church, and rightly so.
Not only does this new crop include the Holy Father’s most important theological and doctrinal adviser in the person of Argentinian Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernández – who automatically becomes a leading contender to carry forward his mentor’s legacy – but there are at least three other figures who also appear to be credible papabili, meaning candidates to be the next pope.
